UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 10 PACKET: The … › cdn › uploadassignments › chap-10-hw-packet...Transportation oversees mass transit and highway needs, policy development,

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENTCHAPTER 10 PACKET:The Federal Bureaucracy

Take-Home Homework Packet 100 Points

Honor Code

I understand that this is an independent assignment and that I cannot receive any assistance from any other person. I will conduct all of my own research and will answer the questions to the best of my ability.

___________________________ ___________ ___________________________ Student Name Date Student Signature

28 Chapter Summaries

Copyright © by The McG

raw-Hill Com

panies, Inc.

(continued)

Name Date Class

Hundreds of departments, agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, and advisory committees make up the federal bureaucracy. These organizations, most of which are responsible to the president, employ nearly 3 million civil servants, or bureaucrats. The 14 cabinet departments are one major division of the bureaucracy.

The Federal Bureaucracy

★ BUREAUCRATIC ORGANIZATION ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

The federal bureaucracy also contains more than 100 independent agencies, boards, and commissions such as the Environmental Protection Agency, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, and the Civil Rights Commission. Government corporations are businesses run by the federal government. The Tennessee Valley Authority supplies electric power to rural areas in the South. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insures bank accounts up to a certain amount.

Independent regulatory commissions make rules for large industries and businesses that affect the public. A regulatory commission may collect evi-dence and set penalties for those violating its rules. In recent years the government has responded to complaints from businesses by taking steps to deregulate, or reduce the powers of regulatory agencies. At the same time, Congress has passed legislation protecting whistleblowers—individuals who report wrongdoing by federal agencies.

Hundreds of departments, agencies, boards, commissions, corporations, and advisory committees make up the federal bureaucracy. These organizations, most of which are responsible to the

president, employ nearly 3 million civil servants, or bureaucrats. The 15 cabinet departments are one major division of the bureaucracy.

10

State carries responsibility for the nation’s overall foreign policyTreasury serves the financial division of the government; collects taxesInterior protects public lands and resources; manages national parks and historic sitesAgriculture promotes conservation; provides credit to farmers; safeguards the nation’s

food supplyJustice oversees the nation’s legal affairs; enforces antitrust and civil rights lawsCommerce promotes and protects industry and commerce; issues patents and trademarksLabor protects workers and pensions; regulates working conditions and labor unionsHomeland Security develops and coordinates the nation’s protections against terrorist threats or

attacks on countryDefense protects the national security and oversees the armed forcesTransportation oversees mass transit and highway needs, policy development, and planningEnergy plans energy policy; researches and develops new energy technologyEducation coordinates federal assistance programs for schoolsVeterans Affairs administers hospitals and programs that benefit veterans and their familiesHealth and Human directs health and social service programs; implements national health policy;Services ensures the safety of food and drugs; conducts medical researchHousing and Urban preserves the nation’s communities; guarantees equal housing opportunities; Development insures low interest mortgages

CABINET FUNCTION DEPARTMENT

22_30_CHS_891364.indd Page 28 12/9/08 3:44:36 AM admini22_30_CHS_891364.indd Page 28 12/9/08 3:44:36 AM admini /Volumes/122/GO00241/USG_Ancillaries_2010%0/Chapter_Summaries/9780078913648/A.../Volumes/122/GO00241/USG_Ancillaries_2010%0/Chapter_Summaries/9780078913648/A...

Printer PDF

Chapter Summaries 29

Copy

right

© b

y Th

e McG

raw-

Hill

Com

pani

es, I

nc.

Name Date Class

Under the inefficient and often corrupt spoils system, presidents used appointment to government jobs as a reward for party loyalty. Calls for reform led to passage of the 1883 Pendleton Act, which set up a federal civil service system based on open competi-tive examination and merit. It also created the Civil Service Commission to administer examinations and supervise the system. In 1979 two new agencies replaced the Civil Service Commission. The Office of Personnel Management (OPM) administers recruit-ment, pay, retirement policy, and examinations. The Merit System Protection Board resolves job disputes and investigates employee complaints.

Salaries and benefits for federal employees today are competitive with those of private industry. Job notices are posted publicly. Applicants for most

clerical jobs must take a written examination. OPM, along with the hiring agency, evaluates applicants for other jobs based on training and experience. Veterans receive special preference. The Hatch Act prohibits federal employees from engaging in politi-cal activities while on duty, running for partisan elective office, or soliciting political contributions from the public.

About 2,200 top-level jobs in the federal govern-ment are not subject to civil service requirements. Every president fills these positions by appointment. When that president leaves office, political appoin-tees usually return to jobs outside the government. Consequently much of the real power over daily government operations remains in the hands of career civil servants.

★ THE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

In theory federal bureaucrats only carry out the policy decisions of the president and Congress. In practice they help make public policy by deciding how to administer the hundreds of federal programs.• Making Rules Bureaucrats write the rules and

regulations that set the guidelines for obeying the laws—on average, about 20 rules and regulations exist for each law.

• Paperwork Regulations create paperwork. The Small Business Administration once estimated that companies were spending at least one billion hours and $100 billion each year filling out government forms. A 1995 law set paperwork reduction goals for federal agencies.

• Lawmaking Bureaucrats help draft new laws by providing the president and Congress with tech-nical reports, testimony on the likely effects of new laws, and advice on content.

• Settling Disputes Some federal agencies have the authority to resolve disputes among parties under their jurisdiction. An agency ruling has the status of law unless it is overturned in court.

Five factors contributed to the bureaucracy’s expanded role in making public policy:• Population growth and technology made

decision making more complicated.

• International crises and competition resulted in the creation of new, specialized agencies.

• Economic problems made the government pro-active in economic regulation and planning.

• Citizen demands for more and better services created a need for new and bigger agencies.

• Once created, an agency remains even if the need for its services declines.

Several factors outside the executive branch influence bureaucratic policymaking:

On occasion congressional committees, client groups, and federal agencies cooperate in the devel-opment of policy. Such cooperation forms a powerful relationship sometimes referred to as an iron triangle.

★ THE BUREAUCRACY AT WORK ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ ★

• Congress can influence federal agencies through new legislation, appropriations, and oversight.

• Federal courts can uphold or nullify an agency ruling if it is legally challenged.

• Agencies influence each other in policy areas with overlapping jurisdictions.

• Client groups (individuals and groups who work with and are most affected by an agency decision) can influence bureaucratic policy by lobbying, testifying before Congress, or working with agency officials.

Chapter 10 Summary continued


Printer PDF

30 Chapter Summaries

Copyright © by The McG

raw-Hill Com

panies, Inc.

Name Date Class

The Federal Bureaucracy

★ DIRECTIONS In the space provided, write the word or phrase that best completes each of the following sentences.

1. The Tennessee Valley Authority supplies power to rural areas in the South.

2. The Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation insures up to a certain amount.

3. In recent years the government has taken steps to , or reduce the powers of regulatory agencies.

4. are individuals who report wrongdoing by federal agencies.

5. The Office of Personnel Management and the Merit System Protection Board

replaced the .

6. are individuals and groups who work with and are most affected by a federal agency’s decisions.

7. The term describes a powerful alliance among congressional committees, client groups, and federal agency officials.

Organizing Information Examine the diagram and list of phrases describing specific activities of different cabinet departments. Write each item under the appropriate heading on the concept map.

• conduct tours of Independence Hall • staff embassies in foreign countries• operate the Centers for Disease Control • administer school lunch programs• implement minimum wage laws • administer the Federal Bureau of Investigation• print paper money

Critical Thinking Answer the following question on a separate sheet of paper.

8. How do you think the Hatch Act prohibition against political activities while on duty protects lower level federal employees?

Interior Treasury

State Health and Human Services

Justice LaborAgriculture

CABINETDEPARTMENTS

10


Printer PDF

Name Date Class

For use with textbook pages 275–-283.

B UREAUCRATIC ORGANIZATION

106

110,

bureaucrat A worker in a department or agency of the federal government—civil servant (page 275)embassy An ambassador’s official residence and offices in a foreign country (page 276)government corporation A business that the federal government runs (page 280)deregulate To reduce or remove government regulations (page 283)procurement The purchasing of materials (page 283)

DRAWING FROM EXPERIENCE

How does your family tackle major house cleaning? Many families divide the work. One member cleansthe bathrooms. Another cleans the kitchen, and perhaps a third member handles the dusting andvacuuming. The work of government is divided in a similar way among the government bureaus andagencies.

This section focuses on how the government bureaucracy is organized.

ORGANIZING YOUR THOUGHTS

Use the graphic organizer below to help you take notes as you read the summaries that follow. Thinkabout what happened in the 1990s when Republicans pushed for deregulation.

CAUSE EFFECTR

Republicans push for deregulation.

KEY TERMS

Copyright ©

Glencoe/M

cGraw

-Hill,a division of

The M

cGraw

-Hill C

ompanies,Inc.

Copyright ©

Glencoe/M

cGraw

-Hill,a division of

The M

cGraw

-Hill C

ompanies,Inc.

107

Name Date Class

READ TO LEARN

• Introduction (page 275)

Most of the departments and agencies of the federal government are part of the executive branch. Thepeople who work for these organizations are called bureaucrats, or civil servants. The writers of theConstitution realized the need for federal agencies to carry out the daily business of government.However, they might be shocked by how much this bureaucracy has grown. Today, millions of civilianswork for the federal government.

• The Cabinet Departments (page 276)

The 15 cabinet departments are a major part of the federal bureaucracy. A secretary, who is a member ofthe president’s cabinet, heads each of the departments. Departments usually have a deputy secretary orunder secretary and assistant secretaries, who are also appointed by the president. Under these officialsare directors of bureaus, agencies, offices, administrations, and divisions and their assistants. The topofficials set overall department policy. The career workers under them provide the ideas and informationthat give the top people alternatives from which to choose.

The Department of State deals with the overall foreign policy of the United States. Its agencies alsoprotect the rights of American citizens traveling in foreign countries.

The Department of the Treasury manages money in the United States. Some of its agencies are the Bureauof the Mint, which manufactures coins; the Bureau of Engraving and Printing, which produces papermoney; the Internal Revenue Service, which operates the nation’s tax code and collects taxes each year; andthe Bureau of Public Debt, which borrows the additional money needed to operate the federal government.

The Department of the Interior protects public lands and natural resources throughout the country. Italso oversees relations with Native Americans. Its divisions include the Bureau of Mines and the NationalPark Service.

The Department of Agriculture develops conservation programs, provides credit to farmers, andprotects the nation’s food supply.

The Department of Justice oversees the nation’s legal affairs. It includes the Federal Bureau ofInvestigation (FBI), the U.S. Marshals Service, and the Civil Rights Division, among other agencies.

The Department of Commerce promotes and protects American business. Among its agencies are theBureau of the Census, which counts the population every ten years, and the Patent and TrademarkOffice, which issues patents for inventions.

Department of Labor ensures safe working conditions, a minimum wage, and pension rights. Its agencycalled the Bureau of Labor Statistics analyzes facts on employment, wages, and salaries.

The Department of Defense protects United States security. Its Joint Chiefs of Staff oversee the Army,Navy, Marines, and Air Force.

The Department of Health and Human Services directs programs concerned with health and socialservices. It manages the federal Medicare and Medicaid programs. Its Food and Drug Administrationinspects food and approves new drugs for medical treatment.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development helps keep up the nation’s communities andensures Americans of equal housing opportunities.

110,

Cop

yrig

ht ©

Gle

ncoe

/McG

raw

-Hill

,a d

ivis

ion

ofT

he M

cGra

w-H

ill C

ompa

nies

,Inc

.C

opyr

ight

© G

lenc

oe/M

cGra

w-H

ill,a

div

isio

n of

The

McG

raw

-Hill

Com

pani

es,I

nc.

108

Name Date Class

The Department of Transportation makes rules for aviation, railroads, highways, and mass transit. Thisdepartment regulates all aspects of American transportation needs, policy development, and planning.

The Department of Energy plans energy policy and researches and develops sources of energy.

The Department of Education coordinates federal assistance programs for public and private schools.

The Department of Veterans Affairs runs several hospitals as well as educational and other programs forthe benefit of veterans and their families.

The Department of Homeland Security coordinates the dozens of federal agencies working to preventterrorism.

1. Which department of the cabinet do you think conducts medical research? Explain your answer.

• Independent Agencies (page 279)

The federal bureaucracy also contains more than 100 agencies, boards, and commissions that are notpart of any cabinet department. The president appoints the heads of these organizations. A few of theseagencies, such as the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Aeronautics and SpaceAdministration (NASA), are almost as large as cabinet departments. Other agencies, such as the SmallBusiness Administration and the American Battles Monuments Commission, are much smaller.

Some independent agencies perform services for the executive branch. For example, the CentralIntelligence Agency (CIA) gathers information about activities in other countries, evaluates it, and passesit on to the president.

Some independent agencies, such as the Small Business Administration, directly serve the public. Manyof the major agencies are government corporations. These are businesses the federal government runs.The best-known government corporation is the United States Postal Service (USPS). Governmentcorporations are organized like private businesses. Each has a board of directors and executive officerswho direct daily operations. Unlike a private business, however, money from Congress, not investors,supports a government corporation.

2. How are government corporations and private businesses alike and different?

• Regulatory Commissions (page 281)

Regulatory commissions are independent of the branches of government. The president appoints thecommissioners for each commission. However, they do not report to the president and the presidentcannot fire them.

110,

Copyright ©

Glencoe/M

cGraw

-Hill,a division of

The M

cGraw

-Hill C

ompanies,Inc.

109

Name Date Class

The purpose of regulatory commissions is to make rules for large businesses and industries that affectpeople’s lives. The regulatory agencies decide questions such as who will operate a radio station or builda natural gas pipeline. The commissions may also hold hearings, collect evidence, and decidepunishments for any business that breaks the rules.

Lobbyists for industries that the commissions regulate sometimes try to pressure the agencies to rulefavorably for their clients. Critics of the commissions charge that some commissions are more interestedin protecting regulated industries than serving the public interest. But others point out that commissionshave a good record of protecting the public interest.

In 1976 presidential candidate Jimmy Carter suggested that American society had too many regulations.Congress responded to complaints of overregulation by taking steps to deregulate, or reduce the powersof regulatory commissions. For example, in 1978 Congress ordered the Civil Aeronautics Board to cutback on rules concerning airlines. Also, in the 1980s and 1990s, Republicans pushed for regulatorychanges. Congress responded by passing deregulation laws dealing with reduced paperwork, riskassessment, and private property rights.

In 1994 Congress eliminated much of the federal regulation of the trucking industry and in 1995eliminated the Interstate Commerce Commission. Along with demands for deregulation came demandsto cut costs in government. The Clinton administration proposed cutting 252,000 jobs from the federalworkforce over 6 years.

In 1996 Congress streamlined rules for the traditionally regulated industries of telecommunications andinvestments. Congress also repealed 300 laws concerning procurement, or purchasing of materials, in thefederal government.

3. How did Congress respond to President Carter’s suggestion that society was overregulated?

110,

Cop

yrig

ht ©

Gle

ncoe

/McG

raw

-Hill

,a d

ivis

ion

ofT

he M

cGra

w-H

ill C

ompa

nies

,Inc

.

Name Date Class

KEY TERMS

For use with textbook pages 284–289.

T HE CIVIL SERVICE SYSTEM

110

210,

Copyright ©

Glencoe/M

cGraw

-Hill,a division of

The M

cGraw

-Hill C

ompanies,Inc.

spoils system The practice of victorious politicians rewarding their followers with government jobs (page 285)civil service system Practice of government employment based on competitive examinations and merit(page 286)


At one time or another, you have probably been the only one in a group of friends with a pack of gum.What happens? The others ask if they can share your gum and you hand it out. Many friends andsupporters of newly elected officials want something, too—they want jobs.

This section focuses on how federal workers are chosen for their positions.


Use the graphic organizer below to help you take notes as you read the summaries that follow. Thinkabout why groups of citizens called for reforms in the federal bureaucracy in the 1850s.

CAUSE EFFECT

Citizens called for reforms.

KEY TERMS

111

Name Date Class

READ TO LEARN


Who works for the many departments and agencies that make up the federal bureaucracy? The typicalfederal bureaucrat is more than 40 years old and has worked for the government for about 15 years.About 30 percent of federal workers belong to minority groups, compared to about 22 percent in theprivate work force. Women make up about 44 percent of federal workers, roughly the same percentage ofwomen in the total labor force. Federal workers hold a great variety of jobs. About half of federalemployees are administrative and clerical workers. The bureaucracy also includes FBI agents, forestrangers, and air traffic controllers as well as engineers, doctors, lawyers, veterinarians, and otherprofessionals.

• Origins (page 285)

When Andrew Jackson became president in 1829, he fired about 1,000 federal workers and gave theirjobs to his political supporters. Jackson’s method of appointing federal workers became known as thespoils system—the practice of victorious politicians rewarding their followers with government jobs. Forthe next 50 years, national, state, and local politicians used the spoils system to fill bureaucratic positions.

As a result, many federal workers who were good at working in campaigns were not as good at their newjobs. Corruption developed. Government employees did favors for interest groups in return for supportfor their candidates. Jobs were bought and sold. In the 1850s groups of citizens called for reforms. SoCongress set up the first Civil Service Commission in 1871. However, Congress failed to appropriatemoney for the new commission. Then a disappointed office seeker killed President James Garfield in1881.

The public was outraged by the president’s murder. In response, Congress passed the Pendleton Act,which created the current federal civil service system. This system requires that government employmentbe based on open exams that test merit. In other words, job seekers who are best qualified get the jobs. In1979 the Office of Personnel Management and the Merit System Protection Board replaced the CivilService commission.

1. How did the spoils system differ from the civil service system?

• The Civil Service System Today (page 286)

The Office of Personnel Management is responsible for filling job openings. Most secretarial and clericaljobs require that job applicants take a written test. For jobs such as accountants, social workers,managers, and so on, applicants are judged on their training and experience. Veterans receive specialpreference.

Government jobs have many benefits such as:

A. salaries about equal to those in private business,

B. 13 to 26 days of paid vacation a year,

C. extensive health insurance and 13 paid sick days,

210,

Cop

yrig

ht ©

Gle

ncoe

/McG

raw

-Hill

,a d

ivis

ion

ofT

he M

cGra

w-H

ill C

ompa

nies

,Inc

.

112

Name Date Class

D. retirement at age 55, or earlier with a reduced monthly benefit payment, and

E. job security.

Civil service workers can only be fired after a very long series of hearings. Most supervisors and topofficials find putting up with an incompetent worker easier than firing one. As a result, the system thatwas set up to hire qualified workers actually protects a number of incompetent or inefficient employees.

In 1939 Congress passed the Hatch Act. This law prevents a political party from using federal workers inelection campaigns. Otherwise, the workers’ promotions and job security might depend on their supportof the party in power. Many federal workers argue that the Hatch Act violates freedom of speech.Supporters of the Hatch Act believe it keeps the civil service politically neutral. In 1993 Congress revisedthe act to tighten on-the-job restrictions while loosening off-duty limitations. The amended Hatch Actprohibits federal employees from working on political activities while on duty. However, it allows them to:

A. hold offices in political parties,

B. participate in campaigns and rallies,

C. publicly endorse candidates, and

D. raise political funds from within their own government agency’s political action committee.

However, the Hatch Act forbids federal employees from running for elective office against a member ofanother party and from collecting contributions from the general public.

2. Why did many federal employees dislike the original Hatch Act?

• Political Appointees in Government (page 288)

Every new president has the chance to fill about 2,200 top-level jobs in the federal bureaucracy. Thesejobs are outside the civil service system. Filling these jobs gives a president the opportunity to place loyalsupporters in key positions. These political appointees are expected to carry out the president’s decisions.Unlike career civil service workers, appointees’ jobs usually end when a new president is elected.

Appointees are supporters of the president. They are usually college educated. Most have advanceddegrees. Many are lawyers. Most return to jobs outside the government when the president leaves office.

Top political appointees hold their jobs for only a few years. The head of a large agency needs about ayear just to learn all the issues, programs, and procedures involved in running the agency. The result isthat most of the real power over the daily operations of the agency falls to the lower-level, career civilservice officials. Their decisions shape how the national government handles key problems facing thenation.

3. What general qualifications does a president look for in an appointee?

210,

Copyright ©

Glencoe/M

cGraw

-Hill,a division of

The M

cGraw

-Hill C

ompanies,Inc.

113

Name Date Class

For use with textbook pages 291–298.

T HE BUREAUCRACY AT WORK

310,

client group Individuals and groups who work with a government agency and are most affected by itsdecisions (page 295)liaison officer A cabinet department employee who helps promote good relations with Congress (page 296)injunction An order that will stop a particular action or enforce a rule or regulation (page 297)iron triangle A relationship formed among government agencies, congressional committees, and clientgroups who work together (page 298)


You shop at the stores that have what you want. The store owners, in turn, benefit from the money youspend. This kind of interaction keeps the economy going. The same kind of mutual assistance takes placeamong federal agencies, congressional committees, and client groups. Their interaction keepsgovernment moving.

This section focuses on how the bureaucracy works.


Use the graphic organizer below to help you take notes as you read the summaries that follow. Thinkabout three groups who work together to help keep government moving. Then label the triangle.

KEY TERMS

Cop

yrig

ht ©

Gle

ncoe

/McG

raw

-Hill

,a d

ivis

ion

ofT

he M

cGra

w-H

ill C

ompa

nies

,Inc

.

114

Name Date Class

READ TO LEARN


Public policy is whatever action the government chooses to take or not to take. In theory, federalbureaucrats only carry out the policies that the president and Congress make. In practice, thebureaucracy also makes public policy.

• Influencing Policy (page 291)

Federal bureaucrats help make policy in the following ways:

Making Rules Congress cannot possibly spell out exactly what needs to be done to enforce a law. Thebureaucracy issues rules that put the law into action. For example, Congress established the SocialSecurity system in 1935. The law provides for payments to disabled workers. The Social SecurityAdministration in the Department of Health and Human Services has written 14 pages of rules andregulations defining the word disability. The rules ensure that deserving people receive payments. Oftenrules made by federal agencies have the same force as laws. For instance, builders must follow guidelinesfrom the Department of Housing and Urban Development when working on federally funded buildingprojects.

Paperwork Companies once spent one billion hours per year filling out forms required by rules fromfederal agencies. In 1995 Congress passed a law to reduce the amount of federal paperwork. The Office ofManagement and Budget set a goal of reducing paperwork about 35 percent by the year 2001.

Involvement in Lawmaking The bureaucracy shapes lawmaking in the following ways:

A. Helping draft new bills for Congress

B. Testifying about legislation

C. Providing lawmakers with technical information

D. Advising lawmakers about bills related to an agency’s area of concern

E. Providing ideas for new laws

Settling Disputes Some federal agencies settle disagreements over how a law or set of rules is applied.The rulings of these agencies have the same legal standing as those of courts.

Providing Advice Bureaucrats give advice and information to political decision makers. Many careerbureaucrats are experts in their areas. In addition, many agencies collect information on a wide variety ofsubjects. Federal agencies may use their information to support or oppose a particular policy. Forexample, studies by the Public Health Service on the effects of smoking led to new laws designed to cutdown on cigarette use.

1. Why are advice and information from bureaucrats helpful to political decision makers?

310,

Copyright ©

Glencoe/M

cGraw

-Hill,a division of

The M

cGraw

-Hill C

ompanies,Inc.

115

Name Date Class

• Why the Bureaucracy Makes Policy (page 293)

The federal bureaucracy has grown in size and importance for the following reasons:

National Growth and Technology The government grew as the population grew. The same number ofofficials who ran a country of 50 million people cannot be expected to govern a country of more than250 million. Also, rapid advances in technology have made life more complicated. Congress cannot haveall the time or knowledge to deal with the nation’s many issues—nuclear power, education reform, spaceexploration, environmental protection, and health care, among others. So the president and Congressestablish bureaucracies and give them the money and power to handle these tasks.

International Crises Competition with the Soviet Union and international crises after World War IIfurthered the growth of the federal bureaucracy. For example, the Soviet Union launched Sputnik I, thefirst space satellite, in 1957. The United States government established NASA in 1958 to direct its ownspace program. To deal with the Soviet Union and its allies, the government created several other newagencies. These included the Central Intelligence Agency, the Arms Control and Disarmament Agency,the United States Information Agency, and the Peace Corps.

Economic Problems President Franklin D. Roosevelt greatly expanded the size of the federal bureaucracy ashe tried to end the Depression during the 1930s. By the 1940s the number of federal workers had almostdoubled. Most people accepted the idea that the government should help the ill, disabled, elderly, andneglected. As a result, the government today spends billions of dollars on hundreds of assistance programs.Also as a result of the Depression, the government set up agencies to stimulate and regulate business.

Citizen Demands Congress created the Departments of Agriculture, Commerce, and Labor to meet theincreased demands of farmers, business people, and workers. Each agency serves client groups. Clientsare the individuals and groups who work with the agency and are most affected by its decisions. Forexample, a client group of the Department of Defense are the manufacturers that make weapons andmilitary supplies. Client groups often lobby both Congress and the agency itself for more programs andservices.

The Nature of Bureaucracy Federal agencies seldom die after they are created. Former president Fordobserved: “One of the enduring truths of the nation’s capital is that bureaucrats survive. Agencies don’tfold their tents and quietly fade away after their work is done. They find something new to do.”

2. Give three examples of cabinet departments that were created to meet the demands of citizens.

• Influencing Bureaucratic Decisions (page 295)

The president, Congress, the courts, and client groups influence federal agencies. Each cabinetdepartment has liaison officers who help promote good relations with Congress. Liaison officers keeptrack of bills that might affect the agency. They also respond to requests from lawmakers forinformation. Congress influences decision making in federal agencies by using:

A. new legislation to change the rules or regulations a federal agency establishes, or to hold agenciesmore accountable for their activities, and

310,

Cop

yrig

ht ©

Gle

ncoe

/McG

raw

-Hill

,a d

ivis

ion

ofT

he M

cGra

w-H

ill C

ompa

nies

,Inc

.

116

Name Date Class

B. the budget. Lawmakers can add or cut an agency’s budget and even refuse to appropriate money forthe agency. More often, however, Congress threatens to eliminate programs important to an agency.

The power of the purse has limits, however. Congress finds it almost impossible to cut the part of anagency’s budget used for entitlements. These are basic services required by law.

Citizens directly affected by the actions of federal agencies may challenge those agencies’ actions in court.A federal court may issue an injunction. This is an order that will stop a particular action or enforce arule or regulation. However, citizens have not had much success in court cases against the bureaucracy.One study shows that courts do not usually reverse the decisions of federal regulatory commissions.

3. What four individuals or groups influence federal agencies?

• The Influence of Client Groups (page 297)

Client groups often try to influence agency decisions through lobbyists. These lobbyists testify at agencyhearings, write letters, keep track of agency decisions, and take other steps to support their groups’interests.

Congressional committees, client groups, and a federal department or agency often cooperate closely tomake public policy. Such cooperation is called an iron triangle, or a sub-government. This interactionkeeps government business moving. Such a relationship is called a triangle because the three groups havethe necessary resources to satisfy each other’s needs. The adjective iron is used because the relationship isso strong that individuals and groups outside the triangle often find it difficult to influence policy in thearea. Public policy in veterans’ affairs is an example.

A. The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) provides important services such as hospital care but needsresources to continue offering such services to veterans.

B. Congressional committees responsible for veterans’ affairs supply the VA with money, but thelawmakers on the committees need voters’ support to stay in Congress.

C. Client groups, such as the American Legion, provide political support for the lawmakers. Clientgroups, in turn, need the VA’s services to satisfy the demands of their members.

Critics believe that iron triangles allow interest groups too much power in shaping public policy. Theythink Congress should regulate the interest groups that support iron triangles.

Interactions among agencies also influence policy making in the bureaucracy. For example, rules madeby the Occupational Safety and Health Administration about noise standards may conflict with rules bythe Environmental Protection Agency. Often interagency task forces or committees settle such disputes.

4. Why is iron used to describe the interactions among congressional committees, client groups, andfederal agencies?

310,

Copyright ©

Glencoe/M

cGraw

-Hill,a division of

The M

cGraw

-Hill C

ompanies,Inc.

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT CHAPTER 10 PACKET: The … › cdn › uploadassignments › chap-10-hw-packet...Transportation oversees mass transit and highway needs, policy development,

Documents